Janik Sinner Responds to WADA’s Appeal: “I Have Nothing to Hide”
World No. 1 Janik Sinner has spoken out following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) seeking a one-to-two-year ban for the tennis star. This comes months after Sinner tested positive for an anabolic steroid in March 2024, an incident that has stirred controversy despite an independent tribunal clearing him of fault.
In a statement to the media, Sinner expressed his disappointment over WADA’s decision to challenge the ruling, which had previously found him innocent. “I am disappointed to hear that WADA have chosen to appeal the result of my ITIA hearing after the independent judges had exonerated me and deemed me to be innocent,” Sinner said.
WADA Appeals for a Ban on Sinner
Sinner’s case originally gained attention after a routine test revealed the presence of an anabolic steroid in his system. The Italian explained that the substance had unintentionally entered his body through a steroid-containing spray applied by his physiotherapist during a massage to treat a cut. Following an extensive review, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and an independent tribunal concluded that Sinner bore no fault for the incident.
Despite this ruling, WADA has moved forward with an appeal to CAS, seeking a potential suspension that could range from one to two years. If the appeal is successful, the suspension will not be backdated, which means that while Sinner would face future sanctions, he will keep his U.S. Open title, his second Grand Slam win.
Sinner Maintains His Innocence and Defends the Tribunal’s Ruling
Sinner, who has reached the quarterfinals or better in every tournament he’s participated in during 2024, described the previous hearings as thorough and fair. “Over the past few months and throughout this process, there have been three separate hearings, each confirming my innocence,” he said.
He emphasized that every aspect of the case had been scrutinized in detail, and the independent judges provided clear reasons for their decision. “Several months of interviews and investigations culminated in three senior judges scrutinizing every detail through a formal hearing. They issued an in-depth judgment explaining why they determined me not at fault, with clear evidence provided and my cooperation throughout.”
Both the ITIA and the Italian anti-doping authority accepted the tribunal’s decision, waiving their rights to appeal. Sinner also acknowledged that thorough investigations are necessary to maintain the integrity of the sport, but he questioned the value of revisiting the same case with a different set of judges.
“I Have Nothing to Hide”
Despite his disappointment, Sinner remains resolute in his innocence and has pledged to cooperate fully with the appeal process. “I have nothing to hide, and as I have done throughout the summer, I will cooperate fully with the appeal process and provide whatever may be needed to prove my innocence once again,” he said in a firm statement.
Future Uncertain as CAS Takes Over
While Sinner has refrained from making any further public comments as the case moves forward, his current focus remains on his tennis career. The world No. 1 is set to face Jiri Lehecka in his next match, continuing an impressive season in which he has won 13 consecutive matches.
Sinner’s fate now lies in the hands of the CAS panel, and the tennis world waits to see whether WADA’s appeal will alter the outcome of this high-profile doping case. For now, Sinner remains confident, standing by his innocence and his commitment to transparency in the sport he loves. READ MORE……